Connecting device



Oct. 27, 1953 LOEB CONNECTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 21. 1951 mi U am G R0 YI O E F mljm w wrfm mr w G Mr F 7 FIG4 Patented Oct. 27, 1953 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention is an improvement in connecting or coupling devices;particularly coupling devices for uniting the side boards or beams of abed or couch to the head and foot posts thereof.

An important object of this invention is to provide coupling devices inthe form of complementary metal parts which engage each other securely,so that the bed can be set up in a short time, and which can readily bedetached when the side beams need to be dismounted. The shape of theconnecting devices is such that each part can be easily fixed in placeupon the outer surfaces of the members to be joined thereby; the partscan be more quickly attached with fewer operations and tools and lesslabor, and especially recessing, grooving or countersinking in saidsurfaces is unnecessary; and while the coupling devices are mainlyintended for beds, they can of course be utilized to join any memberswhich require to be assembled in the same way.

The invention is clearly set forth in the ensuing description andillustrated on the accompanying drawings. The novel features are pointedout in the appended claims. But this disclosure is by way of exampleonly; and I may adopt variations in structure and shape of the partswithout departure from the main design that characterizes the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one form of the connectin membersin mounted positions, ready for use.

Figure 2 is a front view of one of said members.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section thereof, on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side or edge view of complementary connecting member.

Figure 5 is a front elevation thereof.

Figure 6 is a front elevation and Figure 7 a longitudinal section of asmaller connecting member, on line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figures 9 and 10 respectively, are a front elevation and a longitudinalsection on line l0l0 of Figure 9 of part of a member to match the memberof Figures 6, '7 and 8.

The connecting devices comprise two cooperating members, one to beaffixed to each of a pair of parts in any construction to be joinedtogether. These members, as shown in Figures 6 to 10 inclusive, are madeof fiat pieces of metal and are indicated by the numerals l and 2. Eachhas a central aperture 3. The member I has a lug 4 projecting from oneend of the aperture 3 therein; and the member 2 has a slightly longerlug 5 projecting from one end of its aperture 3; both lugs being bentout of the plane of the respective members I and 2. When the members Iand 2 are brought face to face with the lugs 4 and 5 in opposition, thenby longitudinal movement of either member each lug can be slipped intohookedengagement with the other and the two members will be securelyunited; and drawn together by a wedge or taper fit hereafter fullyexplained.

The opening-s 3 and the lugs 4 and 5 can be made by stamping andpunching, for instance, and in such an operation a depressed seat 6 isformed in each member atthe end of the opening 3 from which the lugthereof projects. The sides of the seat 6 are inclined at an angle tothe plane of the member, converging towards the bottom of the seat; andthese sides further are diagonally inclined to the long axis of themember and converge slightly from the end of the lug towards theopposite end of the seat. The openings 3 are of course longer than thelugs, and the portions 3 forming the seats or recesses 6 of each memberbulge out from the plane of the face to the same extent as the lugintegral with said portion.

The side edges of the lugs are not bevelled, but normal or perpendicularto the faces of the lugs; and the sides of the lug of each member areinclined to the long axis of said member at the same angle as the sides1 of the seat 6 of the other member. Hence as the lugs move intoengagement with the members i and 2 in proper alinement, the sides ofeach lug will be parallel to the sides 1 of the seat 5 receiving thelug. When the lugs are fully engaged they will fill the respectiveseats, and will really be wedged in along the sides I of the seats 6;and the inclination of the sides I of the seats to the bottoms thereofwill have a wedging or camming effect perpendicular to the faces of thelugs, tending to push the lugs flatwise a little away from each otherand thus binding the members i and 2 to each other more tightly. Eachlug may even be a little wider than the seat receiving it, say by only afew thousandths of an inch, to make this binding and tightening actionstronger.

The members I and 2 have holes 9 for nails or screws to aflix them tothe parts to be connected. Countersinking or recessing of the surfacesto which they are attached is not required.

The connecting devices shown in Figures 1 to 6 include members H and I2,each with two openings 3, one at each end. The member ll is intended forthe side of a post 13 at the head M (or foot) of a bed, and the memberi2 is for attachment to the adjacent end of the beam or side board lbetween the head post and foot post. The member 12 is held by screws I6,and the member H has a flange 11 at right angles to enable it to beafiixed to the side of the board 15 with the other portion l8 bearingthe lugs flush with said end. I

The coiirieeting'devices of Figures 1 to 6 inclusive time the minb'ersl3 and i5 securely and hold each other in alinement and registry becausethey have the lugs at each end. The seats 6 and lugs 4 and 5 have thesaiiieshap'e and relative dimensions as described abovewith reference toFigures 6 to 10 inclusive'a'ndh'ave the same engaging action.

The connecting devices of this invention are therefore well adapted toserve their iiitendd purpose; can be readily attached to the parts onwhich tlieyrare to be mounted; and when the pfirts to "which thyar'eafliXed are joined, such parts can be'quickly "and easily disconnected ymovementof the members I and2 in'the reverse direct-idn to release thelugs4 and 5. I

The lugs i and 5 are i refe'rabl-y not pa ent: to thefacesof the members-i and '2; H and 12, but project'outwa'rd at'a slight angle. The liigscanbe inore easily engaged at the startaiid the inte'rfittii'ig "and"wedging action above described thus becomes more efiective.

Theniembers can beinounted in va'rioiis positions'so'long as theyappbs'e forthe interlocking of th'e'lug'stande. Als'othe flange H can beomitted-and the member &2 "fixed'to the end of the sideboard i 5, ifdesired.

-R;ecessing, "grooving or coun'ter'sinking can of coursebedone inmounting the connecting devices-if desired.

Having described my invention, what I be lieve to be new is:

A connecting device comprising a pair of flat members each having anopening and a lug joined onto each member at one end of said openingtherein. said lugs extending along one face of said members and disposedout of the planes thereof, each lug having its side edges inclined tothe long axis of the member bearing it and converging tov'vards the othr end ofsaid opening therein, each member havin a depressed seatadjacent the inner end of the lug thereof, "said seats having sideswhich are inclined to 'thefbottoins of the seats and side edges inclinedat the same angle as the sides of the lugs to the ldn'g anger themembers, and converging in a direction away-from said lugs, so that whensaid members are superposed face to face with the lugs'bhadjacent faces,and the lug on one member registering with the opening in theother,longitiidinal movement of said members brings the Rigs of 'ee'chfmemterinto wecging engage rne'i'it with the sides of said seat of the othermember.

MORRIS 'LOEB.

"References Cited in 'the file of this patent oi firiin STATES PA'IENTS

